Get this book if your just starting out.

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HOW TO WELD, by Todd Bridigum, is a great book it explains many of the questions asked here on this forum.  It covers materials, techniques, equipment and has great pictures and simple explanations for many or the questions asked by welders both new and experienced. It is a must have for welders, especially starting out. 206 pages or so and about $16 dollars.Check it out on Amazon.Be nice and pay it forward.
Reply:I've never heard of the above book, it's probably a good one though.Everyone should have this in the shop or on their bookshelf.    The Bible"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Some very good stuff here http://www.jflfoundation.com/default.aspThese publications , especially the Handbook (Bible), are helpful for people like me who aren't engineers, and barely conversant with most procedures."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Lincoln Electric "New Lessons In Arc Welding" is my favorite for quick reference and for a step by step lesson guide, starting with the basics.  It sits next to The Bible (welding bible that is).Oh and it's only $10 direct from Lincoln Electric. EDIT, so I went and downloaded the e book of How to Weld.  It covers basics, but as stated would be a good jump start / primer to answer a lot of foundation questions.  The color pictures are nice and lots of tips / pointers as to how he does it (some might have differnt views).Last edited by RodJ; 05-17-2012 at 09:56 PM.